Daily Rituals of Shree Jagannath Temple

Beginning of the Day: The Opening Rituals

1. Dwaraphita (Opening of the Doors):
   Around 4:30 AM, the temple doors are opened by a group of servitors, including Bhitarchha Mahapatra, Pratihari, etc. The Talichha Mahapatra ensures the previous night’s seal is intact before breaking it. Pratihari open the sanctum doors and start the day’s rituals.
2. Mangala Alati (Auspicious Lamp Offering):
   At 5:30 AM, lamps are offered to the deities in a ritual known as Mangala Alati. Three types of alati called Karpura Alati, Bati Alati, and Pithau Alati is performed by Bhitarchha Mahapatra and two Puspalaka servitorsand. And start the day with god’s blessings.
3. Mailam (Removal of Night Adornments):
   At 6:00 AM the deities are preapred for the day. In the night’s attire and flowers are removed, the fresh cotton garments called Tadap and Uttariya, are offered.

Morning Rituals: Preparing for the Day

1. Abakasha (Morning Ablutions):
   At 6:30 AM the deities are cleansed in a symbolic way. The servitors perform dental cleaning and bathing rituals using water mixed with camphor, curd and other sacred substances which are reflected on brass mirrors. The temple astrologer tells about the day’s astrological details and then does the Pancha Upachara puja.
2. Rosha Homa (Sacrificial Fire):
   Before cooking begins for the day, a fire sacrifice is made in front of the temple kitchen by a Pujapanda servitor to make the whole place holy.
3. Gopal Ballav Bhoga (Breakfast Offering):
   At 8:30 AM, the deities’ breakfast is also served. Coconut sweets, ripe bananas, curd, and sweet popcorn are placed near the Kalahat door and offered to the deities.
4. Sakala Dhupa (Morning Food Offering):
   Between 9:00 – 10:00 AM, a royal meal called Raj Bhoga is served. It is made in the temple kitchen and includes items such as rice, dal, black gram and sweets.

Midday Rituals

1. Mailama:
   After the breakfast, the gods are decorate with new clothes and flower garlands.
2. Bhoga Mandap:
   At 11.30 AM another offering is made in the Bhoga Mandap hall. This bhoga is mainly for the general public and pilgrims.
3. Madhyahna Dhupa (Midday Food Offering):
   Like the morning offering this midday ritual is also similar. Multiple dishes are offered in the sanctum sanctorum.

Evening Rituals: The Transition to Night

1. Sandhya Alati (Evening Lamp Offering):
   At 6:00 PM sacred lamps are once again offered, As evening rituals.
2. Sandhya Dhupa (Evening Food Offering):
   Between 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM, another meal is offered to the deities. Watered rice and sweet cakes are also included in it.
3. Chandanalagi:
   After the evening meal the deities are coated with sandal paste mixed with camphor and saffron.

Night Rituals: Preparing for Rest

1. Badasinghara Besha (Night Adornment):
   Between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM, the gods and goddesses are put in their nightwear, decorated with floral garlands and fed Tulsi leaves.
2. Badasinghara Dhupa (Night Food Offering):
   At 10:30 PM, the last meal offered consist of watered rice and sweet dishes.
3. Khata Seja Lagi & Pahuda (Resting Ritual):
   The deities are rested at 11:30 PM after a ceremonial preparation for rest. The sanctum doors are closed, and the temple shut down, thus marking the end of the day.

Daily Seva Schedule

Time	Ritual Name	Description
4:30 AM	Dwaraphita	Opening of the temple doors by designated servitors.
5:30 AM	Mangala Alati	Offering of auspicious lamps to the deities.
6:00 AM	Mailam	Removal of previous night’s attire and floral decorations.
6:30 AM	Abakasha	Morning ablutions, including cleaning the deities’ teeth and bathing rituals.
7:45 AM	Surya Puja	Worship of the Sun God by servitors near the Muktimandap.
8:30 AM	Gopal Ballav Bhoga	Breakfast offering, including sweets, fruits, and curd.
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM	Sakala Dhupa	Morning meal offering (*Raj Bhoga*) with multiple dishes.
11:30 AM	Bhoga Mandap	Additional food offering for pilgrims and institutions in the Bhoga Mandap Hall.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM	Madhyahna Dhupa	Midday meal offering with rice, curries, and sweet dishes.
6:00 PM	Sandhya Alati	Evening lamp offering to mark the transition to nighttime.
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM	Sandhya Dhupa	Evening meal offering with watered rice and sweet cakes.
9:00 PM – 10:00 PM	Badasinghara Besha	Night adornment of the deities with floral ornaments and silken attire.
10:30 PM	Badasinghara Dhupa	Final food offering, including watered rice and sweet dishes.
11:30 PM	Khata Seja Lagi & Pahuda	Preparation for rest, sealing the temple doors, and clearing the precincts.

Conclusion

The daily rituals of the Shri Jagannath Temple are a combination of devotion, tradition and extreme planning. These rituals are carried out by about 85-90 dedicated servitors and are kept to preserve the sanctity and the grandeur of the temple as well as to provide a very spiritual experience to the devotees. Although times may change, the core of these rituals stays the same and beautifully illustrates the eternal relationship between Lord Jagannath and his devotees.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Daily Rituals of Jagannath Temple

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